Clients within a spiritual guidance relationship thrive through safe and brave spaces that nurture interconnection, humanity, love, and abundance.

By our own groundedness and warm heartedness, we meet another in their humanity.

Mystics, scientists, and practitioners agree that contemplative practices support compassionate sacred activism and engagement.

When lives are on the line, we believe there is more for the spiritual companion to do than asking our clients questions.

This mindful nature experience is an exploration, a practice, a process that is intended to be used before, during, and/or after noticing feelings of anxiety and fear of any size.

Announcing our new Outdoor Companionship, a new (virtual) training program!

Last month, I had one of the best weeks of my life on an “SDI Journey” which took place in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

When I muster the courage to explore the intimacy of the inner dark night of my soul, I feel more brave to pursue intimacy with the external world, including with distant and proximate relations as well as with the natural environment.

Slowly and mindfully, we engage with the natural setting and cultivate awareness of, relationship with, and appreciation for the more than human world.

Recently, at one of our yearly siblings (and partners and children) camping trips, I took my young nieces and nephews on a forest bathing experience and invited them to ask a tree if we could approach it, touch it, and be with it. I asked them to pay attention to how the tree responds to their inquiry.

The entire day felt like a “wondering process of spiritual inquiry” as we made our way through Chicago’s diverse southside neighborhoods.

Jeanette Banashak has just had an article published by Spiritual Directors International for their blog. Her article guides you through a complete practice of inviting a tree to be your spiritual director

Access to quiet has been primarily granted to those with privilege, including people who have had access to quieter neighborhoods and resources for technologies that enhance peace.

Working with our spiritual styles helps us to relate to life’s grand questions in ways that nurture and support us.

In the experience/meditation, we take in nature through the senses…We stimulate and engage our senses by being awake and alert to what we see, smel, taste, and feel.

Our hope as spiritual companions is to promote our shared humanity in a context of trust and care.

What are ways that promote deeper connection, integrity, and attention, and which ways might hinder deeper connection?

Prayers for healing across traditions

Last year, my partner and I became “dual pilgrims” after walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain and the Kumano Kodo in Japan.

When we pursue the spiritual life, we pursue the human life.  What does it mean to be human?  And, what does it mean for a child to be human?